It's going to be slow going for the next couple of months, but this may be something to pay attention to on home game days.
In other news, the Bears drafted a series of players that will either be decent or terrible. Neither the offense nor defense appears to be appreciably better than it was 10 days ago. But the special teams should be improved.
That is all.
History's, most colorful ages have been defined by rivalries. The best examples of this are classics such as the Azteks v. the 4-Runner's, Lincoln v. head wounds, RainX v. liquid precipitation, etc. You see where I'm going with this. Rivalries bring out the best in people, organizations and civic movements. The human race wouldn't have won out against clear skies had it not been for the rivalry between the industrial revolution and nature.
And with that I introduce you to the newest rivalry of the bunch: SpeedyWillie.org v. Green-Bay-Packer.com.
Certainly both parties will have lessons to be learned from the other. The focus of the two blogs seem to be fundamentally different, ours looking closer at the events surrounding the game, and MOGBPB looking at the goings on on the field and league-wide. Regarless, things should heat up quickly with the Bear heading north for the 1st game of the season.
I suggest everyone check out our new rival, and maybe MOGBPB will share with us they're obvious advertising / marketing savvy. I'm working on igniting other friendly relationships with Vikings & Lions blogs, so we'll see if we can get something going throughout the NFC North.
Best of wishes to everyone!
After months of waiting, we've arrived at the annual April tradition; the announcement of the 2009-2010 Speedy Willie Tailgate Schedule, presented by Speedy Willie and Speedy Willie Tailgate Productions, Inc.* Please find below the tentative schedule and associated events for each of the 10 home games:
Pre-season:
Saturday 8/22/09 v. Giants 7:00 p.m. - Dominic's birthday Tailgate-a-bration
Thursday 9/03/09 v. Browns 7:00 p.m. - Final tune-up, 1st Anniversary Speedy Willie Reunion
Regular Season:
Sunday 9/20/09 v. Steelers 3:15 p.m. - Ladie's Night
Sunday 10/04/09 v. Lions 12:00 p.m. - Christopher's birthday Tailgate-a-bration
Sunday 11/01/09 v. Browns 12:00 p.m. - Jerome's birthday Tailgate-a-bration
Sunday 11/08/09 v. Cardinals 12:00 p.m. - Feast of the Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Sunday 11/22/09 v. Eagles 7:20 p.m. - Formal Tailgate / Dance (evening wear preferred.)
Sunday 12/06/09 v. Rams 12:00 p.m. - Sweatpants-a-palooza
Sunday 12/13/09 v. Packers 12:00 p.m. - Italian Sausage v. Bratwurst Cookoff
Monday 12/28/09 v. Vikings 7:30 p.m. - Winter Weather Fashion Show (Sponsorship offers now being accepted.)
The above listed events are pending approval of the full membership committee, final invitations will be mailed no less than 10 business days before event**.
*Incorporation pending. And when I say pending, I mean we haven't submitted any paperwork. I have mailed a piece of notebook paper to myself, and that post-marked envelope sits unopened inside a dusty hutchdesk. What is on the notebook paper you ask? The first draft of the articles of incorporation for Speedy Willie Tailgate Productions, Inc. But that's none of your business.
**Coverage and offer not available everywhere. Call for locations. Ends 1/10/10. Excludes taxes and service plan charges. May require two-year agreement, up to $36 activation fee, up to $200 early termination fee, credit approval and deposit. Additional terms and restrictions apply.
On April 2nd, 2009 Chicago Bears management made a series of roster moves that will heavily impact the 2009 - 2010 NFL season. A day later, the organization still has questions that need to be attended to.
1. Did the Denver altitude inflate some of Cutlers statistics?
This question has been applied most to baseball statistics, and only
occasionally to football performances. Though field goal kicking
afficianados will recall Jason Elam currently holds the record for
longest field goal at 63 yards, kicked where else? Denver's Invesco
Field.
A little "back of the envelope math" will reveal the difference in altitude is signficant between Denver (5,281 ft) and Chicago (583 ft.) Will this result in errant passes that otherwise would have been completed in the thin Denver atmosphere? That will be up to the strength and condition staff, and Cutler to resolve.
2. What is it going to take to get Rex Grossman in camp?
Grossman is an unrestricted free agent, and has yet to sign with an NFL team as of April 3rd. While there has been some interest shown by regional South American semi-pro teams, his availability provides Chicago an opportunity to sign a quality quarterback to compete with Jay Cutler for the top spot in 2009. Bears fans changed their tune on Grossman, who was universally reviled after the loss in SBXLI, after he led the beloved to a hard fought victory during a week 9 inter-division grudge match against the up-and-coming Detroit Lions.
If this scenario plays out, would the Chicago brass allow an "open competition" when the final result most likely have the new guy riding the pine? Unlikely.
3. Will Orlando Pace be able to contribute on a revamped O line?
It could be argued that the Orlando Pace signing raises many of the same questions as the John Tait signing did 4 years ago. Both are Mormon's. Both secretely despise children, and both weighed over 600 pounds at the time of the deal. Google searches on orlando+pace+ideal+playing+weight didn't provide any specific numbers, but I have to think that he (AND THE BEARS) will be best served playing somewhere in the mid 400's.
4. What can the Bears do in this year's draft?
Sure, Jerry Angelo has made a career out of the middle rounds of the NFL draft. With 8 picks this year, he's got his work cut out for him to further shore up the offensive line, defensive backfield and wide receiver corps. Names like Johnson, Richardson, Ade-Kobaki and Lawrence have been thrown around as possible picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but can any of them make an immediate impact?
Not likely. Which is why I would like to hear Roger Godell announce, "With the 49th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, The Chicago Bears select Lebron James." Hear me out. Basketball players are easily the most athletic members of the sporting community, and former hoopers have made significant impacts on the NFL. Names like Antonio Gates, Bo Jackson, "Neon" Deon Sanders & Michael Jordan should ring a bell.
In the 3rd round I would pick up Alex Rodriguez and in the fourth I would select Martin Broduer.
5. What's for lunch?
Culvers Deluxe basket, no pickles with fries & a Mountain Dew.
With the current global economic climate, expectations are those with little disposable income would tend towards products and/or services that cost little with relative high value. Examples include accepting food samples at the grocery store, finding five dollars in a pocket of jeans (left), and reading SpeedyWillie.org.
With that said, SpeedyWillie.org should be awash in high volume internet traffic, offers of sponsorship, and mentions in non-internet related media. FALSE. Not only is SpeedyWillie.org not one of the most popular free internet websites, it likely ranks near the bottom of the list. In fact, if the organization that compiles that list were to have brought this website up on its internet browser on a day like February 12, 2009, THAT ORGANIZATION would have been responsible for the lone "hit" of the day.
The fact is, there have been 7 page views in the last 13 days. So, we are in the process of building a comprehensive marketing program meant to re-invigorate the target market for SpeedyWillie.org. Slogans are still being sorted out, but "It's not much, but it's free" (left) is leading the pack so far.
Pens, maybe? Pens with the website on them is an idea. That seems like something that would be reasonably priced, but then there's the distribution of the pens to worry about. How do you get the pens into the right people's hands?
Here's a non-starter: Facebook Fan Page. 29 fans does not a groundswell make. Maybe if there was a purpose for it? That could help in the long run.
What it comes down to is word of mouth, and that is where the 1.6 repeat visitors per day come into play. I'm talking to you, whomever you are. Lets get some positive chatter going for SpeedyWillie.org, this is a team effort after all.
It's Monday night and it's the last home game of the season!
Questions abound: Are we going to make the playoffs or not? Is Speedy Willie going to start? Is everyone going to die an icy death? No, maybe, and yes, as it turned out.
The south lot was NOT the destination for the final tailgate of the season, which meant we could arrive earlier than 3:30 p.m. That was the plan, but of course it didn't work out like that. Getting the bus moving was delayed because one member of the party was late getting off work. Unfortunately, that meant cousin Bob had to wait about 45 minutes in the freezing cold for us to pick him up. That kind of thing builds character.
We met up with the Lee's "Bear Force One" recreational vehicle in the McCormak south lot, and a good time was had by all. It was not insanely cold, so it turns out everyone survived. Bears won for the third time in a row.
The tailgate was a reunion of sorts, as many of us gathered for the 3rd consecutive Bears/Packers game. Chuck & Bob & their Dad, and all the Lees, and Kenny and the aforementioned Bob, Tony & his buddy. First time we've all been rolling in specialty vehicles though: a new tradition is born!
Other than the Bears giving away car flags, I don't think anything else exciting happened. James spent 40 minutes trying to sled down a snow mound on a piece of cardboard, and that was kind of funny.
A lot needs to happen to make the playoffs, and if we just miss, the Bears will be rewarded with a garbage draft pick... Oh, well.
Thursday night is no night for football.
Here's what Thursday's are best for: Bowling leagues, working in the garden, thinking about a second career as a taxi driver, ironing your clothes for Friday, sharpening your typing skills, planning a vacation, canceling magazine subscriptions, making a dentist appointment, dart leagues, trying to remember if you need to have your tires rotated, writing a letter to the editor, My Name is Earl.
Selling belongings on eBay, putting new cheese on the mouse traps, hot dog eating contests, using the hose to clean off the driveway, softball leagues, catching up on laundry, buying new shoelaces, ordering pizza, resetting your WIFI network because you forgot the password, The Office, working overtime, returning phone calls, changing batteries in smoke detectors, getting the oil changed, updating your facebook page, going for a bike ride, taking a nap.
Concerts, returning books to the library, balancing your checkbook, window shopping, updating a blog, piano lessons, dance lessons, trying to set up a slingbox, reschduling a haircut, clipping coupons, etc.
What I'm trying to say, is that I didn't go to the game, and have no idea how the tailgate went. The point is, Bears on Thursday's is a terrible idea. Big win though, 27 - 24. Speedy Willie rules.
With the cool Canadian winds whipping off Lake Michigan, Week 14 greeted tailgaters with sub freezing temperatures, and some real characters in the parking lot! Fate parked Speedy Willie right in the middle of a raucous devils brigade of Bears fans all bound and determined to shake off the cold with a nip of bourbon and some hot meat off the grill.
The tailgate was highlighted by some excellent music, provided by our resident DJ. So well received, were the tunes that a fellow lot lizard slithered up to SW and asked what station we were playing so they could turn it on as well. "Sorry," I told him, "This is the SPEEDY WILLIE MIX!" And I slapped that jerk right in the face!
There was delicious Italian flavored meats provided to the large group of revelers surrounding the bus, and everyone enjoyed the various libations offered. This week, we didn't even need to buy ice! Thank you Father Winter!
As the game started, and everyone with tickets traipsed off to their seats, only Dominic, Adam & Jen were left to enjoy the game from Speedy Willie's warm insides. The game itself was a bit of a blow out, and featured many slick plays on both sides of the ball.
Then, about 15 minutes in, the big guy from the truck next to us returned. He was trashed and had "lost his ticket." We made a tremendous mistake and invited him to watch the game from SW. Detailed spared, his other buddy showed up and proceeded to down whatever remained in our liquor inventory.
This is the same guy that took off most of his clothes and walked across flaming coals on the asphalt? Am I remembering this correctly? Doesn't matter. Good tailgate + Good Game = Speedy Willie.
The Chicago Bears played host for the third consecutive week in what must have been the NFL schedule maker's attempt to wear down the loyal Bear fan. I'm sure they were laughing at us, because it worked. The Week 10 festivities were made up of a series of minor disasters which earned the title of "The Worst Tailgate of the Year."
The Saturday before the game was spent picking up new accessories for Speedy Willie: The Hitch Haul II & a propane powered dual heater. Assembly of these items, unfortunately, was required and completed in the hallway outside of Anthony's condo. It was a grueling hour filled with the type of frustration felt only by those accustomed to playing billiards on a boat. Tools (and coordination) were needed that we didn't have, instructions were read and re-read, and pieces of metal had to be bent that required Anthony put on his Superman costume.
Alas, the hitch basket provided tailgaters more room inside Speedy Willie, and the heater intermittently provided much needed warmth. The heater "flamed out" once per quarter hour resulting in an overpowering propane fume cloud over the tailgate, which may explain some of the bizarre behavior that went on. Additional bad things: Blown out speaker, bad football game & ipod running out of battery.
Silver linings include excellent offerings from the grill, a slightly better turn out than expected and tons of left over beer. PLUS: New indoor storage was acquired for Speedy Willie, and it's in a very convenient place, at a very reasonable price. WELL DONE!
The next home game is Sunday, December 7th against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Long range weather estimates from the 2005 Farmers Almanac say it'll probably be in the mid- 50's with scattered clouds. Let's do it.
Who knew former Minnesota Viking wide out Chris Carter also did some driving? Mr. Carter was enlisted to drive Speedy Willie up to the city Sunday morning, and did a bang up job. Literally. Inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of twelve separate raccoon face prints in and around the grill area.
Admittedly, though, our raccoon expert's credentials left much to be desired. The best we can tell is Christopher "The Driver" (using the parlance of our times,) took every forest preserve access road he could find in his route from Willowbrook to Chicago. The good news is, raccoon faces are small, and little evidence remained once we finished with the rubber mallet.
On to the festivities! Uncle Jerry's birthday was celebrated by one and all while sharing in various beverages and Italian styled meats (supplied by Uncle Jerry & Aunt Ginny.) The weather was perfect, the new shelves were marveled at, and a new hitch was magically installed by Will at Sparky's.
SW's resident DJ had an excellent day. Here's the new additions to the playlist: Chelsae Dagger, A Milli, Baby Got Back, Staying Alive, Tootsie Roll, Hey Ladies, Hot N Cold, Angel, Just Lose It, Let it Rock, The Queen & I, Handlebars, Lollipop, and Staring Through My Rearview. The stereo broke down, but happened at an excellent time, which is right after everyone left for the game.
Some of our party goers even watched the game inside the bus, which turned out great! As day turned to night, Speedy Willie was packed up and headed out of the south lot. Another successful tailgate completed.
Next week, The Chicago Bears host the Tennessee Titans in a rematch of that terrific game from who knows when. (Have they ever even played?) Rex will be at the helm of the offense, and the bears defense is due to come out of it's slumber. Should be another victory.
What did I miss? Why don't you take a moment of your precious time to share a story from your visit to Speedy Willie in the comments section? It's about time someone did.
P.S., I had to use the group photo which actually contained all of Uncle Jerry, considering it was his birthday and all... In that picture, you'll see on the t.v. screen that we were able to teleconference in Andy Samberg from TV's Saturday Night Live (and movie's Hot Rod, which was hilarious). This marks the first appearance of a celebrity to a Speedy Willie tailgate.
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